In the context of the New Testament, homage refers to the respect, reverence, or honor given to individuals or deities. The account of Paul and Barnabas in the Book of Acts provides a significant example of how homage was misunderstood and redirected in the early Christian mission.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra

The most notable incident involving homage to Paul and Barnabas occurs during their missionary journey to Lystra, as recorded in Acts 14. After Paul heals a man who had been lame from birth, the local population is astounded by the miracle. The people of Lystra, influenced by their pagan beliefs, mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods. They identify Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes, "because he was the chief speaker" (Acts 14:12).

The priest of Zeus, whose temple was located just outside the city, brings bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending to offer sacrifices to them. This act of homage, though well-intentioned from the perspective of the Lystrans, is based on a misunderstanding of the divine power at work through Paul and Barnabas.

Response of Paul and Barnabas

Upon realizing the intentions of the crowd, Paul and Barnabas are deeply distressed. They tear their clothes, a traditional Jewish expression of grief and protest, and rush into the crowd to correct the misunderstanding. Paul addresses the crowd, saying, "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them" (Acts 14:15).

Paul and Barnabas emphasize their humanity and redirect the homage to the one true God, the Creator of all things. They use this opportunity to preach the gospel, urging the people to abandon their idolatry and turn to the living God. Despite their efforts, it is noted that they "could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them" (Acts 14:18).

Theological Implications

This incident highlights several key theological themes. First, it underscores the early Christian rejection of idolatry and the insistence on monotheism. Paul and Barnabas's reaction demonstrates the importance of directing worship and homage solely to God, rejecting any form of deification of humans.

Second, it illustrates the challenges faced by early Christian missionaries in a polytheistic context. The misunderstanding of divine power and the misattribution of miracles to human agents were common obstacles. Paul and Barnabas's response serves as a model for addressing such challenges with clarity and humility.

Lastly, the event in Lystra reflects the broader theme of God's revelation to the Gentiles. By performing miracles and preaching the gospel, Paul and Barnabas act as instruments of God's grace, inviting all people to recognize and worship the true God.

Conclusion

The account of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra provides a profound lesson on the nature of homage and the proper direction of worship. It serves as a reminder of the early church's commitment to monotheism and the exclusive worship of the living God, as well as the ongoing mission to bring the gospel to all nations.Acts 14:11-18
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Nave's Topical Index

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... whom Paul and Barnabas preached, was the true God, the Creator of the world and
its inhabitants, why was he so late in asserting his claim to their homage? ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

The Cripple at Lystra
... credulity, and pander to it, bring forth the sacred bullocks and the garlands, and
are about to offer sacrifice before Paul and Barnabas. Such homage these men ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the cripple at lystra.htm

The Council of Jerusalem.
... their temples and sacred groves, was a part of the homage which they ... send chosen
men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely Judas ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvi the council of.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... only do we render to God the homage, to which ... Peter and Barnabas were once guilty
of dissimulation from fear ... Jews were, no doubt, convinced, that Paul was not ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

The Exhortation of Barnabas
... and perpetual reiteration with which Paul speaks of ... We continue to be Christians,
as Barnabas reminded these ... children, and Christ accepts the homage that has a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the exhortation of barnabas.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... of creation itself is cited to lead men to acts of religious homage. ... hath obtained
it, and the rest were blinded."[533] When Paul and Barnabas preached at ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... the worshippers of these idols, who are in a way affected by the bodily forms, so
that they pay homage to them ... We see this in Paul and Barnabas, when the ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... or, as it is said, hold his stirrup, or the reins of his mule, when he mounts to
ride; much less should he pay homage to the ... Paul and Barnabas would not ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... Paul urges the Philippians to count what things were gain a ... In the so-called "Epistle
of Barnabas," in the "Pastor ... great things who does not pay homage to an ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

The victory of Faith.
... Christ," says the Apostle Paul, "hath redeemed ... sometimes with a milder spirit, as
Barnabas, which makes ... it not the world in another form, which has his homage? ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ii the victory of faith.htm

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Homage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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